JPH06348441A - Area type function selector - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] The present invention relates to a computer user interface, in which the function of a function executing medium is summarized for each area by switching the function to be executed when the medium is selected according to the position area to which the medium belongs. The purpose is to provide a user interface with excellent operability. A media holding position area searching means 18 searches a position area including a medium, and based on the search result, the area type media function corresponding means 13 holds a function to be executed when a medium is selected. Corresponding to the position and contents of the medium and the medium storing means 11 for holding the contents, an appropriate function is executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer user interface, and by changing the function to be executed when a function executing medium is selected, the function of the function executing medium is changed for each area depending on the position area to which the function executing medium belongs. The present invention relates to a region-type function selection device that provides a user interface with excellent operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many user interfaces having excellent operability have been developed with the improvement of computer technology. Among them, the function execution device that determines the execution of some function plays an important role in various interfaces. Hereinafter, a conventional function execution device will be described with reference to FIG. Here, data on a computer having position information is called a medium.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 141 is a medium storage means for storing the position and contents of the medium, 142 is a function execution means for storing the function executed when the medium is selected,
Reference numeral 143 is a media function corresponding means for associating a function with a medium and 144 is a function switching means for switching a function associated with the medium. Reference numeral 145 is a media selection means for selecting a media, and 146 is a media display means for displaying the media. In the above configuration,
First, 146 displays the contents of the medium at the position of the medium stored in 141. 145 is 14
The position information of the medium included in 1 is used to select the medium, and 143 retrieves the function associated with the selected medium from 142 and executes the function. Also,
144 switches the function associated with the medium as necessary.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, in order to switch the function corresponding to the medium, it is necessary to re-designate the corresponding function for all the media whose functions are switched. . Further, since the functions associated with the media are not classified, there is a problem that it is difficult to understand what kind of functions are assigned.

The present invention solves the problems as described above. By switching the function to be executed when a medium is selected according to the position area to which the medium belongs, the functions of the function executing media are grouped for each area to improve the operability. It aims to provide an excellent user interface for.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, firstly, a medium storing means for storing the position and contents of the medium, and a function storing means for storing the function to be executed when the medium is selected, An area-type media function corresponding means for associating a function corresponding to the medium with a position area including the medium, an area-type function switching means for switching the corresponding function for each medium or for each area, and a medium selecting means for selecting the medium, Media display means for displaying the media, position area saving means for saving the position area,
It is composed of a medium containing position area searching means for searching the position area including the medium and a position area displaying means for displaying the position area. The above-mentioned object is achieved by the apparatus having the above configuration.

Secondly, the area type media function supporting means corresponds to a position changing function for associating a medium function supporting means for associating a certain function with the medium regardless of the area and a function for changing the position of the medium. Consists of means,
The area type function switching means is composed of a function movement switching means for switching only movement of the medium or execution of a function corresponding to the medium for each position area. This achieves the above object.

Thirdly, the area type function switching means is
A function storing means for storing the label attached to the function and the position of the label; a function displaying means for displaying the function label at the position stored in the function storing means; a function selecting means for selecting the function; Function position changing means for changing the position, function-containing media position area searching means for searching the medium or position area existing in the function position, and function switching executing means for executing the function switching. This achieves the above object.

[0009]

The present invention firstly determines whether the media display means displays the media, and if so, displays the contents or label of the media at the position stored in the media storage means. The position area display means determines whether to display the position area, and if so, displays the label in the area stored in the position area storage means. At this time, the media display means and the position area display means do not determine whether to display, and may always display or not display. The medium selecting means selects the medium stored in the medium storing means, and the medium containing position area searching means obtains the position area containing the selected medium from the position area stored in the position area storing means.
Area-based media function support means is the selected media,
The function corresponding to the area including the medium is retrieved from the function storage unit and the retrieved function is executed. The area type function switching means switches a function associated with each position area or each medium. By performing the above operation, it is possible to provide a user interface with excellent operability by grouping the media functions for each position area.

Second, the media function corresponding means and the position change function corresponding means are used as the area type media function corresponding means, and the function movement switching means is used as the area type function switching means. The operation will be described below.

The media function correspondence means associates a fixed function with the medium regardless of the position area in which the medium is included. The position changing function corresponding means associates the medium with the function of changing the position of the medium. The function movement switching means associates the function of the media included in the area with the function associated with the media function supporting means or changes the position of the medium associated with the position changing function supporting means. Decide whether to correspond.

By the above operation, it is possible to switch the movement of the medium or the execution of the function for each position area, and to provide a user interface with excellent operability.

Thirdly, as the area type function switching means, a function storing means for storing the label attached to the function and the position of the label, and the function label are displayed at the position stored in the function storing means. Function display means, function selecting means for selecting a function, function moving means for changing the position of the function, function-containing media position area searching means for searching the medium or position area existing at the position of the function, Function switching execution means for executing switching is used. The operation will be described below.

The function storage means stores the label corresponding to the function and its position. The function display means displays the label stored in the function storage means at the stored position. The function selecting means selects one or more function labels. The function position changing means changes the position of the label stored in the function storing means. The function-containing medium position area searching means searches for a medium or a position area existing at the position of the label changed by the function position changing means. The function switching execution means switches the function corresponding to the medium or position area searched by the function-containing media position area searching means.

By the above operation, it is possible to easily switch the function corresponding to the medium or the position area.

[0016]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 (a), 4 (b), FIG. 5, FIG. 6 (a), FIG. 6 (b), and FIG. An example will be described.

In FIG. 1, 11 is a medium storing means for storing the position and contents of the medium, 12 is a function storing means for storing the function to be executed when the medium is selected, and 13 corresponds to the medium according to the position area including the medium. Area type media function corresponding means for associating the functions to be performed, 14
Is a region type function switching means for switching the corresponding function for each medium or for each region, 15 is a medium selecting means for selecting a medium, 16 is a medium displaying means for displaying the medium,
Reference numeral 17 is a position area saving means for saving the position area and the contents of the position area, 18 is a medium containing position area searching means for searching the position area containing the medium, and 19 is a position area displaying means for displaying the position area.

FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b), 6 (a) and 6 (b) are views showing the relationship between the position area and the medium in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7 is a diagram showing a result when the function is executed.

The operation of the above arrangement will be described below. Now, the media display means 16 takes out the position and contents of the media stored in the media storage means 11 and displays them. Here, it is assumed that the media 43 and 44 are displayed. The area display means 19 also displays a label indicating the position area stored in the position area storage means 17. Here, it is assumed that the position regions 41 and 42 are displayed. Media inclusion position area search means 18
Associates the media with the area containing the media. Here, the media 43 and the media 44 are included in the position area 41. The media selection unit 15 selects one or more media. As a selection method, a position specification using a device such as a mouse may be used, or a method of directly specifying a media label may be used.

Here, it is assumed that the medium 43 is selected. The area-type media function support means 13 retrieves the function corresponding to the selected media from the function storage means 12 and executes it. Here, as the function stored in the function storage unit 12, the function of displaying "contents of the position area including the media" of "media contents", that is, here, "photograph" of "dog" is displayed. Function, function to display "cat" photo, function to display "description" of "dog", function to display "description" of "cat", and function to change media position And

Here, as the contents of the medium 43, "
It is assumed that there is a dog, and the contents of the position area 41 are "photograph".
There is. Function storage means 1 as the corresponding function
A function having “dog” and “photograph” is searched from the functions stored in 2 and associated with each other as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4B. Therefore, here, the function of displaying the "photograph" of the "dog" is executed when the medium 43 is selected (see FIG. 5).

Next, the area type function switching means 14 switches the corresponding function. Here, the function to be switched by the area-type function switching means 14 is either to change the position of the medium or to display "contents of area including media" of "contents of media". That is,
It is possible to switch between the correspondence of the solid line and the correspondence of the broken line in FIG. 4B. Correspondence to each function of the solid line in FIG. 4B is automatically performed as described above,
The broken line is fixed and associated with the function of changing the position of the medium. Here, the function switching method using the conventional menu is used to switch to the movement of media.
It is assumed that the medium 43 is moved as shown in (a). At this time, the medium containing position area searching means 18 associates the position area 42 as a position area including the medium 43. Again, the area-type function switching means 14 is used to switch the function of the medium to the function of displaying the "content of the position area including the medium" of the "media content". Since the content of the position area 42 is “description”, the function currently associated with the medium 43 included in the position area 42 is “dog”.
The function is to display the "explanation" (Fig. 6 (b))
reference). Again, when the media 43 is selected using the media selection means 15, the dog's explanation can be displayed (see FIG. 7).

In this embodiment, by changing the function corresponding to the medium depending on the area in which the medium is contained, it was possible to provide an excellent user interface which is visually easy to understand.

(Embodiment 2) FIGS. 2 and 8 (a) and 8
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to (b), FIG. 9 and FIG. FIG. 1 is similar to the first embodiment.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a media function corresponding means for associating a certain function with a medium regardless of the area, 22
Is a position change function corresponding means for associating the function of changing the position of the medium, and 23 is a function movement switching means for switching between movement of the medium and execution of the function corresponding to the medium for each position area.

8 (a), 8 (b) and FIG. 10 are diagrams showing the relationship between the position area and the medium in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the result when the function is executed. .
The operation of the above configuration will be described below.

Here, the operation of 13 is limited to the media function corresponding means 21 and the position change function corresponding means 22, and the operation of 14 is limited to the function movement switching means 23.

Now, the media display means 16 takes out and displays the position and contents of the media stored in the media storage means 11. Here, it is assumed that 82, 83 and 84 are displayed. The area display means 1
Reference numeral 9 displays a label indicating the position area stored in the position area storage means 17. Here, the position area 81 is displayed. Media inclusion position area search means 18
Associates the media with the area containing the media. Here, the medium 82, the medium 83, and the medium 84 are included in the position area 81. The media selection unit 15 selects one or more media. Here, it is assumed that the medium 83 is selected. Next, either the media function corresponding means 21 or the position change function corresponding means 22 is selected, and the corresponding function is executed. Here, as functions corresponding to the media function, "display a picture of a dog", "display a picture of a cat", and "function corresponding to the media function corresponding means" are executed, or a position change function corresponding means There is a function to switch the function that corresponds to.
Here, it is assumed that the function "display a picture of a cat" corresponding to the medium 83 is executed by the media function corresponding unit 21 (see FIG. 9). Next, the moving function switching means 23 is executed. Here, by selecting the medium 84, the media function corresponding means 21 executes the movement function switching means 23 and associates the position change function corresponding means 22 with the media 82 and 83. Next, the medium 83 is selected using the medium selecting means 15 and the medium is moved as shown in FIG. Here, when the media is not included in any position area, the corresponding function is not changed. Select media 84 again and select media 8
2. The media function support means 21 is associated with the media 83. By selecting the media 82 again, the "display cat picture" function can be executed.

In this embodiment, it is possible to freely move the position of the medium and arrange the frequently used medium at an easy-to-use position. By switching the movement and the execution of the function for each position area, an easy-to-understand and excellent user interface is provided. Could be realized.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 1, FIG. 3, FIG. 11 and FIG.
The third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is similar to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 31 is a function storing means for storing the label attached to the function and the position of the label, 32 is a function displaying means for displaying the label of the function at the position stored in the function storing means, 3
3 is a function selecting means for selecting a function, 34 is a function position changing means for changing the position of the function, 35 is a function-containing media position area searching means 36 for searching a medium or a position area existing at the position of the function, It is a function switching execution unit that executes switching. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing media, position areas, and function labels in the embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the above configuration will be described below.

Here, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16,
It is assumed that 17, 18 and 19 are operating in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the operation of 14 is the function storing means 31 and the function displaying means 3.
2, the function selecting means 33, the function position changing means 34, the function containing medium position area searching means 35, and the function switching executing means 36.

First, the function display means 32 is the function storage means 3
Display the function label at the position saved in 1. Here, 111 and 112 are the labels of the displayed functions. The function selection means 33 selects one or several function labels. Here, it is assumed that the function label 111 is selected. The function position changing means 34 changes the position of the label of the function selected by the function selecting means 33 and stores it in the function storing means 31. Here, the function label 111
Has moved as shown in FIG. The function-containing media position area searching means 35 searches for a medium or a position area existing at the position of the label of the changed function. Here, when the medium exists, the medium is searched, and when the medium does not exist, the position area is searched. Here, since there is no medium existing at the position 111, the position area 41 is used as the search result. The function switching execution means 36 switches the function corresponding to the searched position area 41 and sets the position area where the function is switched to 131. Here, up to now, the media 44 included in 41 is "cat"
Is displayed, and the media 43 included in 41 corresponds to the "picture" of "dog".
As a result of switching the function, the function corresponding to the medium 44 included in the position area 131 displays the "picture" of "cat", and the function corresponding to the medium 43 is the "dog".
It was switched to display a picture.

In this embodiment, the function corresponding to the position area can be easily switched, and an excellent interface can be realized.

[0034]

As described above, the present invention relates to a computer user interface, and by changing the function to be executed when a medium is selected according to the position area to which the medium belongs, the function of the function executing medium can be changed for each area. In summary, it is possible to provide a user interface with excellent operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a region type function selection device in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed diagram of area-type media function corresponding means and area-type function switching means in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of area type function switching means in a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position area and the medium in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a photograph diagram in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position area after movement and the medium in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a dog according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position area and the medium in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a cat in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the position area and the medium in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a relational diagram of a function label, a position area, and a medium in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a position change diagram of the function label in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an execution diagram of a function change in the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a conventional function selection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 media storing means 12 function storing means 13 area type media function supporting means 14 area type function switching means 15 media selecting means 16 media displaying means 17 position area storing means 18 media containing position area searching means 19 position area displaying means 21 media function supporting Means 22 Position change function support means 23 Function movement switching means 31 Function storage means 32 Function display means 33 Function selection means 34 Function position change means 35 Function-containing media position area search means 36 Function switching execution means 41 Photo position area 42 Explanation position area 43 dog media 44 cat media 81 menu area 82 dog picture media 83 cat picture media 84 movement or function execution switching media 111 picture display function 112 type display function 131 picture position area

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Nakamura 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A medium storage unit for storing the position and contents of the medium, a function storage unit for storing the function executed when the medium is selected, and a region for associating the function corresponding to the medium with the position region including the medium. Type media function supporting means, area type function switching means for switching the corresponding function for each medium or area, media selecting means for selecting a medium, media displaying means for displaying a medium, and position area for storing a position area An area-type function selection device comprising a storage means, a media-containing position area search means for searching a position area containing media, and a position area display means for displaying the position area. 2. The area type media function corresponding means comprises a media function corresponding means for associating a certain function to the medium regardless of the area and a position changing function corresponding means for associating the function of changing the position of the medium. 2. The area type function selection device according to claim 1, wherein the area type function switching means comprises function movement switching means for switching only movement of the medium or execution of a function corresponding to the medium for each position area. 3. The area type function switching means includes a function storing means for storing a label attached to the function and a position of the label,
Function display means for displaying a function label, function selecting means for selecting a function, function position changing means for changing the position of the function, and media existing at the position of the function at the position stored in the function storing means 2. The area type function selecting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a function-containing medium position area searching means for searching a position area and a function switching executing means for executing function switching.